Pattern selecting arrangement for a circular knitting machine



June 1, 1965 R. SCHMIDT 3,185,192

PATTERN SELECTING ARRANGEMENT FOR A CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed May 21, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet l AIM- June 1, 1965 R. SCHMIDT 1 2 PATTERN SELECTING ARRANGEMENT FOR A CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed May 1962 e Sheets-Sheet 2 v Fig. 2

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R. SCHMIDT June I, 1965 PATTERN SELECTING ARRANGEMENT FOR A CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed May 21, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 1, 1965 R. SCHMIDT 3,186,192

PATTERN SELECTING ARRANGEMENT FOR A CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed May 21, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 R. SCHMlDT June 1, 1965 PATTERN SELECTING ARRANGEMENT FOR A CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed May 21, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 1, 1965 R. SCHMIDT 6 PATTERN SELECTING ARRANGEMENT FOR A CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE J- 0 I 751d F19 151 757d United States Patent 38,03 20 Claims. (Cl. 66-50) The present invention relates to a pattern selecting arrangement for a circular knitting machine, and more particularly to a machine in which at each feed, a lifting cam is provided which .can be shifted between a plurality of positions for effecting shifting of the cylinder needles of the machine to latch-clearing position, tuck position, or idle position in accordance with the desired pattern to be knitted.

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of my copending application Serial No. 822,679 entitled Control Device for Knitting Machines," file-d on June 24, 1959, and now issued as US. Patent 3,035,- 424.

My copending application discloses lifting cams which are controlled and operated by a plurality of members one of which is selected for operation of the lifting cam by selector means. The present invention relates to an improved and different construction of the selector means by which the position of the lifting cam, and thereby of the respective cylinder needles at each'fec-d, is selected.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a pattern selecting arrangement for selecting a position of the lifting cam means of a circular knitting machine in .a particularly reliable manner while consisting of comparative few and simple parts.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pattern selecting arrangement in which the operating members for the lifting cams are only operated when a shifting of the lifting cam is required.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pattern selecting arrangement including actuating means for the lifting cams wherein the actuating means are temporarily arrested during the setting of the selector means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pattern selecting arrangement in which the actuating means for the lifting cams are returned to an inoperative position after each operation, and remain in the inoperative position without engaging any other parts until another operation is required.

A related object of the present invention is to reduce the Wear and tear on the actuating means of the pattern selecting arrangement.

Another object of the present invention is to provide pattern control means which simultaneously set a plurality of selector means by which the setting of the lifting cams is controlled.

With these objects in view, one embodiment of the present invention relates to a pattern selecting arrangement which comprises at each feed: lifting cam means for the cylinder needles of a circular knitting machine, actuating means for shifting the lifting cam means, and selector means cooperating with the actuating means and being shiftable between a plurality of selecting positions for holding the actuating means in said inoperative position and in said shifted positions, respectively. A pattern control means is provided for shifting the selector means between the selecting positions and other control means are operated by the rotating needle cylindcr of the machine to return the actuating means to the "ice inoperative position before the pattern control means shifts the selector member, to effect shifting of the actuating means until the actuating means are held by the selector means, and to operate the actuating means to.

shift the lifting cam means to a position corresponding to the selected position of the selector member.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuating means include a carrier and an actuating lever mounted on the carrier for movement to and from an actuating position cooperating with different operating members tor operating the lifting cam means. The carrier is shiftable between .an inoperative position in which the actuating lever is spaced from the operating members and a plurality of shifted positions in which the actuating lever is located opposite difierent operating members to shift the same when moving to the actuating position.

The carrier is arrested by an arresting means-when it is in the inoperative position. The control means nclude cam means operated by the rotating needle cylinder of the machine to shift the carrier to its inoperative position where it is arrested until the pattern control means have shitted the selector member. When the selector member is in the selected position, the cam means release the arresting means so that the carrier can move under control of a spring means until it is blocked by the selector member in a position in which the actuating lever is located opposite the respective operating member which can shift the lifting cam to the selected position.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pattern control means include a pair of guide drums located between the first and the last feed of the machine. The drums guide cables from shifting levers which operate the selector members to feeler means which sense a pattern chain.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the selector member has ,four stepped shoulders respectively corresponding-to a position of the actuating lever in which it does not cooperate with the operating members of the lifting cam, and three positions in which the actuating lever cooperates with three operating members for shifting the lifting cam between three positions respectively corresponding to latch-clearing position, tuck position, and idle position of the cylinder needles.

The shoulders of the selector member block movement of the carrier when a stop on the carrier engages the respective shoulder which has been placed by transverse shifting movement into the path of the stop of the carrier.

After each operation of the lifting cam, a cam moving with the rotary needle cylinder of the machine, returns the carrier with the actuating lever to an inoperative position in which it is arrested by the arresting means. In this position, the stop of the carrier does not abut a shoulder of the selector rnembenso that the same can be easily shifted by the pattern control means.

Consequently, thin wires, or electromagnetic means are sufficient for shifting the selector member.

Shortly before the actuating lever is operated by a cam, the arresting means is released by another camso that the -oarrier with the actuating lever moves to the position which was previously selected by setting of the selector member. A cooperating cam first slightly releases the pressure on the arresting means, and then permits slow motion of the carrier to its shifted position so that no blow or hard impact is exerted on the selector member.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the feeds on a circular knitting machine provided with the pattern selecting arrangement according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary axial section taken on line IIII in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line III-III in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line IVIV in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side view of the cylinder cams including a lifting cam;

FIG. 6 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 5 on an enlarged scale and showing details of the operating members for the lifting cam;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the operating means for the lifting cam;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the pattern control means;

FIG. 10 is a sectional front view taken on line XX in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a sectional front view taken on line XI-XI in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line XIIXII in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line XIII-XIII in FIG. 11.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 2, a ring 54 to which a cap 55 is secured, is fixedly mounted on an annular bed 101. The needle cylinder 56 is turnably mounted in member 55 for rotation about a vertical axis, and supports cylinder needles 1, as shown in FIG. 5, for the cylinder needles, for vertical movement. Needle cylinder 56 is seated on a drive ring 102 which is provided with a gear ring 102a engaged by a gear 170 driven from a drive motor 174 through a gear train 171, 172, 173.

The horizontal dial 57 is connected to the needle cylinder 56 for rotation therewith, and has radially extending grooves in which a set of dial needles 1a is movably mounted. A fixed dial cam cap 58 is located above dial 27 and supports dial needle cams 51 which cooperate with the butts of the dial needles 1a.

Cams 60, 61 and 62, see FIG. 5, are provided on cap member 55 and form a cam track with cam means 2b and lifting cam 2 in which the butts of the cylinder needles 1 are guided. The dial needles 1a are controlled by cam means 59, and the cylinder needles 1 are controlled by cam means 59, and the cylinder needles 1 are controlled by cam means 2 and 60, 61, 62 to be advanced and retracted to produce a knitted fabric.

During knitting of the fabric, the cylinder needles 1 are either in an idle position I, or in a tuck position II, or in latch-clearing position III.

Shortly before a cylinder needle 1 reaches the position illustrated in FIG. 5, its butt passes over a downwardly sloping stitch cam so that the needle is retracted to position 1. During further movement, the butt of the needle 1 passes onto the upper cam face 2 of a lifting cam 2. A lifting cam is provided at each feed of the machine.

Each lifting cam 2 is movable between a position I in which its cam face 2' is horizontal and extends in the direction of the cam face of cam 2b, a position II in which cam face 2' is raised and inclined, and a position III in which cam face 2' is still higher.

When the butt of a needle 1 passes over cam face 2' in the position I of lifting cam 2, the needle is not raised above its idle position. If cam 2 is in the position II, the butt of the needle slides on the inclined cam face 2' and the needle is raised to such position II. In the position III of the lifting cam, the needle is raised to latch-clearing position III. When the needle has passed beyond lifting cam 2, cams 61 and 62 lower the needle onto cam face 26 to the idle position I.

Each lifting cam is turnable about a shaft 2a, and is operated by operating members 4 and 5 to move from its inoperative position I to the operative positions II and III, respectively. While operating members 4 and 5 directly engage lifting cam 2, a third operating member 3 effects return of the lifting cam to its inoperative position I, but does not directly engage lifting cam 2.

A support 6 has three bores for the operating members 3, 4 and 5, and a cover 7. Springs 8 are provided for each operating member and urge the respective operating member to a retracted inoperative position shown in FIG. 6. Each operating member includes a pin, and an inclined catch means 9 of frusto-conical shape which is located below cover 7 in the inoperative position of the respective operating member. The openings 7a in cover 7 permit passage of the frusto-conical portions 9. When any one operating member is advanced in upward direction, the catch means 9 passes the arresting bar 11b of an arresting means 11 which is mounted on a pin 10 for movement transverse to the row of operating members 3, 4 and 5. When any one catch portion 9 passes bar 11b, arresting means 11 is pivoted to a releasing position, and then snaps under the catch portion 9 to hold the respective control member in an advanced operative position.

The arresting bar 11b is long enough to cooperate with all three catch portions 9, and is urged by a spring 11a, see FIG. 7, to its arresting position.

Assuming that one of the control members 3, 4, and 5 is arrested in its operative position by the arresting means 11, it will be released by the same when another operating member is moved to its operative position, since the catch portion 9 of such other control member will be effective to move the arresting bar 11b to its releasing position for a time sufficiently long to permit the respective spring 8 to retract the respective operating member which previously was in the higher operating position.

As best seen in FIG. 6, the pins of the operating members 4 and 5 are of different lengths, and the upper ends of these pins engage the lower edge 2" of lifting cam 2 when lifting cam 2 is in its lowest posit-ion I in which cam face 2 is horizontal and will not raise a cylinder needle 1.

Operating members 3, 4, and 5 are selectively operated by an actuating lever 12, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5. Actuating lever 12 is mounted on a carrier 26 for turning movement about a horizontal pivot axis extending in radial direction of the needle cylinder to and from an actuating position in which the free end of lever 12 is raised.

Each carrier 26 is connected to a shaft 27 which is mounted for longitudinal movement in bearings 15 and 16 so that each carrier 26, 27 is shiftable in radial direction together with the actuating lever 12 mounted thereon. A spring 28 abuts bearings 16, and a fixed flange 29 on shaft 27 so that each carrier 26, 27 is biased to move inwardly toward the center of the machine. As will be explained hereinafter in greater detail, carrier 26, 27 is movable between an inoperative position, and three shifted positions I, II and III in which actuating lever 12 is respectively located underneath operating member 3, operating member 4, and operating member 5. Actuating lever 12 is connected to a spring 1211 which is secured to a fixed part of the machine and urges actuating lever 12 into its lowest position 12a in which its upper edge is located elow the lower end of the operating members 3, 4 and 5, as shown in FIG. 5. In this manner, carrier 26, 27 can .5 be shifted with actuating lever 12 without any interference between the actuating lever and the operating members 3, 4 and 5.

The three operative shifted positions of the actuating means 12, 26, 27 are indicated in FIG. 1 as I, II, III, and when the actuating means 12, 26, 2'7 is further shifted to the right as viewed in FIG. 1, actuating lever 12 is located in an inoperative position in which it is spaced from the three operating members 3,4 and 5.

As best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, a cam 22 is secured to the needle cylinder, and moves with the same. Cam 22 has such a radial width as to engage actuating lever 12 in the positions I, II and III, and whenever actuating lever 12 is engaged by cam 22, it is raised from its normal low position to a higher actuating position in which it engages the operating member under which actuating lever 12 is located, so that the respective operating member is raised. For example, if actuating lever 12 is located in position III underneath operating member 5, it will raise the lifting cam to position III, since the pin of operating member 5 is long. If actuating lever 12 is located underneath operating member 4, it will actuate member 4 when moving to its actuating position, and will raise lifting cam 2 to position II since the pin of operating member 4 is shorter. If actuating lever 12 is located underneath operating member 3 in the position I, the catch means 9 of operating member 3 will release the arresting bar 12a so that any previously raised and locked operating member 3 or 4 will be released by the arresting bar 11b, and will return to its normal position illustrated in FIG. 6 under the action of the respective spring 8.

Consequently, by shifting the actuating means 12, 26, 27 to one of the shifted positions I, II, III, or by permitting the actuating means to remain in the inoperative position 0, be selected so that the cylinder needles at the respective feed are correspondingly influenced, and either remain in the idle position I, or are raised to tuck position II, or to latch-clearing position III. However, when the actuating means 12, 26, 27 are retained in the inoperative position 0, the actuating lever 12 is not engaged by cam 22, so that the operating members 3, 4 and 5 are not shifted and the lifting cam will remain in its previous position.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a latch plate 30 is secured to the head portion 26 of each carrier, and forms a recess with a transverse arm 30a of the carrier. An arresting means, shown to be a lever 31, and best seen in FIG. 3, is mounted on a pivot screw 33 on arm 343a for turning movement between an arresting position projecting into the recess as shown for the feed A in the upper portion of FIG. 1, and'a releasing position retracted from the recess as shown for the feed B in the lower portion of FIG. 1. The pressure of spring 28 urges the latch plate 30 against the arresting lever 31 when the same is in the arresting position into which it is urged by spring '32. A cam 34 is connected to the needle cylinder of the machine for movement therewith, and engages the lower end 31a of arresting lever 31 during rotation of the needle cylinder so that the arresting lever 31 is pivoted to the releasing position shown in chain lines in FIG. 3. It is evident that spring 28 will then move the released carrier 26, 27 inwardly, while the catch lever 31 will slide on the latch plate 30, as shown at feed B in FIG. 1.

A rigid arm 35 is fixedly secured to arm 319a of each carrier, and has a cam follower projection 35a. The cam follower 35a of each carrier is successively engaged by a cam 36 and cam 3'7 which are mounted 'on the needle cylinder, and are secured to ring 102 by threaded bolts 102a.

As explained above, cam '34 engages the arresting lever 31 for turning the ame to its releasing position. Since the latch plate 3b is pressed against arresting lever 31 by spring 28, considerable friction would have to be overcome by cam 34 to turn arresting lever 31 from its arrestthe desired position of the lifting cam 2 can ing position to its releasing position. Cam 36 facilitates this operation by engaging cam follower 35a so that the respective engaged carrier 26, 27 is shifted outwardly and to the right as viewed in FIG. 1 so that the latch plate 30 moves away from the arresting lever 31. In this position, cam 34 can easily pivot arresting lever 31 to its releasing position, and directly after carrier member 26, 27 and latch plate 30 have been released by arresting lever 31, cam '36 passes beyond the respective cam follower 35a and permits the carrier to move inwardly under the action of spring 28.

It is necessary that each carrier 26, 27 is again arrested in its inoperative position by the arresting means 31, and cam 37 engages at the right moment the cam follower 35a of each carrier, and urges the carrier out wardly and to the right as viewed in FIG. 1 until the arresting means 31 is again located opposite the recess between latch plate 31) and carrier arm 30a, and is moved to the arresting position by spring 32.

The outer free end of shaft 27 of each carrier has a transverse stop 38 which downwardly projects into the region of a selector member 39. Each selector member 39 is a slide guided in a guide channel 3% which extends transverse to the radial direction of movement of the respective carrier. Each selector member 3? has four stepped shoulders 0, I, II, III, which extend in the direction of the transverse movement of the respective selector member 39, and a slot 39a into which a pin 41a of a shifting lever 41 projects. Each shifting lever is secured to a shaft 41) mounted by journal portions 40a in bearings 40d of a ring 101a, and turns with shaft 40 for shifting selector member 39 between the four positions 0, I, II, III in which different stepped shoulders are located in the path of movement of the downwardly projecting stop 38.

When arresting means 31 releases the carrier in the position of the selector member 39 shown at feed A, stop 38 will engage the outermost highest shoulder of the selec tor member, so that the carrier will be stopped in a corresponding position, and actuating lever 12 will be located substantially in the position 0. However, when a selector member is shifted, as for example shown for feed B, release of the carrier 26, 27 by the arresting means 31 will permit the carrier to move farther inward until stop 38 abuts the lowest shoulder III so that actuating lever means 12 is located opposite and underneath the operating member 5.

In the position of the carrier in which it is arrested by arresting means 31, stop 38 is slightly spaced from the outermost shoulder ti of the respective selector member 39. Consequently, the lever 41 can shift the respective selector member without a frictional engagement between stop '38 and the outermost shoulder of the selector member. However, when arresting means 31 releases the respective carrier, pin 38 will move the small distance until it abuts the outermost shoulder of the respective selector member if such outermost shoulder was placed in the path of movement of stop 38, as shown for feed A.

Each selector member 39 is connected by cable or wire to a spring 142 which is secured to a fixed point 141 on a ring 161a and urges lever 41 to turn with the respective selector member 39 to the inoperative position 0 in which the outermost shoulder of the selector member is located in the path of movement of the respective stop 38.

It is assumed that the feed A is the first feed of the machine, and that the feed B is the last feed of the machine, which may have twenty-four feeds. It will be understood that all feeds are provided with lifting earns,

operating members, actuating means, and selector members as shown for the two feeds A and B. However, only between the first feed A and the last feed B, pattern control means are provided, which in the illustrated embodiment include two guide drums 145 and 146. Twelve cables of wire 42 are guided about each guide drum, and the other euds ofthe cables 42 are respectively secured to one of the shafts 40 for turning the respective shaft and thereby the shifting lever 41. As shown in FIG. 2, each shaft 40 has twelve circular grooves 147 in which all cables 42 are guided. As shown in FIG. 2, the cable 42 leading to shaft 40 of the last feed B is secured to the lowermost portion 40b of shaft 40, by a fastening member 400, while the cables 42 controlling the other feeds on one side of the knitting machine, will tangentially pass over the grooved portion of shaft 40 of feed B. Springs 142 act on shafts 40 opposite to cables 42.

The other ends of cables 42 are connected to a pattern control device which may include mechanical, electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic means. A pattern chain control arrangement as described in my copending application Serial No. 822,679 may be used. In any event, each cable 42 is pulled such a distance as is necessary to shift the selector members of each feed to one of the positions 0, I, II, III against the action of springs 142. in FIG. 1, selector member 39 at feed A is shown in position 0, while selector member 39 at feed B is shown in position III. Actuating lever 12 has been shifted by cam 22 to its actuating position and has raised operating member to its operative position in which lifting cam 2 is raised to position III while the previously operated operating member 3 or 4 was released by shifting the arresting bar 11b.

In the position shown in FIG. 1, in which the needle cylinder with ring 102 and earns 34, 36, 22 move in the direction of the arrow C, earns 34, 36 and 22 have passed the feed B. Cam 37 just engages cam follower 35a of the carrier 26, 27, at feed B, and during the following movement of the needle cylinder, carrier 26, 27 will be shifted to the right as viewed in FIG. 1 until arresting means 31 snaps into the recess adjacent the latch plate 30, and locks the actuating means 12, 26, 27 in the outermost inoperative position in which the stop 38 is in the position 380 shown in dotted lines, corresponding to the position of the carrier shown at feed A.

As will be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 9-13, at the moment in which the actuating means 12, 26, 27 at the last feed B is locked in position 380, a pattern control means is actuated to simultaneously shift all shifting levers 41 for displacing all selector members 39 in accordance with the selected pattern. In this manner, all selector members are set to preselecting postions determining the later actuation of the respective lifting cam at the respective feed, and in accordance with this preselection, the devices at each feed are then successively operated by the cam means to raise lifting cam 2 at the respective feed to tuck position or latch-clearing position, or to leave cam 2 in its inoperative position I.

The preselection by shifting selector means 39 takes place in the time period between the shifting of the carrier at the last feed B by cam 37 to the position 380 in which the arresting means 31 snaps behind latch plate 39, and the moment in which the leading part of cam 34 engages arresting means 31 to release the carrier at feed A. At the first mentioned moment in which the arresting means 31 locks the carrier at feed B, cam 34 is in the position 340 shown in broken lines in FIG. 1. Before the leading end of cam 34 engages the arresting means 31 at feed A, the shifting and setting of all selector members 39 under control of the pattern drums 145 and 146 must be terminated.

Cam 36 engages cam follower 35a shortly before cam 34 engages arresting means 31 at each feed. Consequently, the respective carrier 26, 27 together with latch plate 30 is outwardly pushed, and plate 30 releases the arresting lever 31. In this manner, no friction exists between arresting lever 31 and latch plate 30, and cam 34 can shift the arresting lever 31 to the releasing position without having to overcome the friction produced by the pressure of spring 23.

Cam 34 is so designed that arresting lever 31 is retracted by cam 34 to a position in which its edge is slightly spaced from the lateral face of latch plate'30. Spring 28 urges the carrier 26, 27, 35, 35a inwardly so that follower 35a remains in sliding engagement with cam 36. The trailing cam face 36:: of cam 36 is so designed that the carrier slowly moves inwardly under the pressure of spring 28 until the stop 38 is blocked by the respective shoulder of the selector member 39. At feed A, inward movement of the carrier is short, and therefore the slowing down of the carrier movement is not very important, but in the event that the selector member 39 is in a position in which its innermost shoulder III, for example, is located in the path of movement of stop 38, as shown in feed B, the spring 28 would throw the carrier with great force inwardly so that stop 38 would hit the respective blocking shoulder of selector member 39 with a hard blow, which, however, is prevented by the trailing cam face 36a.

The selector member 39 is shown at feed A in the position in which actuating means 12, 26, 27 will not move out of position 0 so that actuating lever 12 is not located underneath one of the actuating members 3, 4 and 5, and is also not engaged by the cam 22 when the same passes the actuating lever 12. However, if selector member 39 would have been shifted to a position in which its shoulder 11 would be located in the path of movement of stop 38, then the carrier would move with actuating lever 12 to a position in which actuating lever 12 is located underneath the operating member 4. In this position, cam 22 will turn actuating lever 12 to a higher actuating position in which actuating lever 12 will shift operating member 4 which will result in displacement of the lifting cam 2 to the position II in which the upper face 2 of the lifting cam 2 will raise the cylinder needle at this feed to the tuck position.

When the cam 22 has passed the respective actuating lever 12, cam 37 will become effective at feed A to shift the carrier until the arresting means 31 snaps behind the latch plate 30 and locks the carrier in its inoperative position.

The release of the actuating means 12, 26, 27 by arresting lever 31, the movement of the actuating means to the preselected position I, II or III (or 0), the raising of the actuating lever 12 in position I, II or III to its actuating position by cam 22, the return of the actuating means to the inoperative position 380 by cam 37, and the locking of the actuating means in position 380 by the arresting means 31, take place at each feed until the twenty-fourth feed B has been operated, whereupon the pattern control means are again actuated to set all selec tor members in accordance with a desired pattern.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the pattern control means illustrated in FIGS. 9-13 are used. The guide drums and 146, which are located between the first and the twenty-fourth feed of the machine, have circular grooves about the periphery thereof, in which twelve cables or wires 42 are guided over each guide drum. Guide drums 145 and 146 are turnably mounted on vertical axles 145a and 146a, as best seen in FIG. 10. The twelve cables passing over each guide drum, are respectively connected to levers 151 which are mounted for turning movement about a horizontal shaft 152. The cables are guided through small holes 163a and 164a in a pair of guide plates 163 and 164 which are secured to the frame of the machine. In this manner, the cables 42 are safely held in the grooves of the guide drums 145 and 146.

Shaft 152 of levers 151 is mounted in a pair of bearings 153 and 154. Levers 151 include two sets of levers 151a and 151d as best seen in FIG. 13. Levers 151d are double-armed angular levers and have long arms to which a group of cables 42 are connected, while another group of cables 42 is connected to the shorter levers 151a. Consequently, cables 42 are located in two parallel planes, and since levers 151a and 151d are alternatingly arranged on shaft 152, access to the levers and to the pins by which ber'157d, and the lower edge 151" the ends of the cables are fastened to the levers is facilitated.

The bearings 153 and 154 are connected by a bar 155 which extends parallel to another bar 156 and forms with the same a guide way for two sets of alternately arranged sensing slide members 157:: and 157d which rest on pattern chains 15% guided about a pattern drum means 159. Each sensing member cooperates with a feeler lever 151a, or 151d, respectively, since each feeler lever is biased in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, by the pull of the cables 42 which are under the action of spring 142. The lower edge 151 of each lever 151d abuts the pointed upper end 157d of a sensing memof each lever 151a abuts the pointed upper end 157a of a sensing member 157a. The pointed end 157d of sensing member 15701 has a greater distance from the axis of shaft 152 than the pointed end 157a of sensing member 157. The ratio between the distances is selected in such a manner that the same vertical displacement of sensing members 157a and 157d, will effect the same horizontal displacement of cables 42 connected to levers 151a and 151d although the lever arms of levers 151d are longer, which is due to the fact that levers 151d are turned through a smaller angle by the same displacement of the sensing members.

Twenty-four pattern chains 15% are guided about the periphery of pattern drum 129, and each pattern chain is sensed by sensing member. Pattern drum 159 is turnably mounted in stationary bearings 160 and 161, and has guiding teeth 153a for the pattern chains 158.

The pattern drum 159 is connected by suitable transmission, not shown, to the needle cylinder 102 so that the pattern drum is turned one angular step whenever a revolution of the needle cylinder is completed.

Each pattern chain 158 has projecting pattern means of different height 162-1, 162-11 and 152-111.

When a sensing member 15711 or 157d senses no pattern projection 162 which is the case in the position of FIG. 12, the sensing member is in its lowest position, and a corresponding feeler lever 151 is turned all the way in counterclockwise direction to the position 0, which corresponds to the several positions shown in FIG. 1. In this position, spring 142 will pull the respective selector member 39 to the selecting position 0 shown at feed A in FIG. 1. The pull of spring 142 is indicated by the arrow x in FIG. 12.

When the highest pattern projection 162-111 arrives under a sensing member 157a or 157d, the respective sensing member is shifted in vertical direction, and turns the respective feeler lever 151 to the position 111 against the action of spring 142. The respective cable 42 will then pull the respective selector member 39 to the selecting position 111, as described with reference to FIG. 1.

If an intermediate pattern projection 162-11 arrives under a sensing member 15% or 157d, the respective lever will assume the position 11, and permit the respective selecting member to be moved to selecting position 11. The lowest pattern projection 162-1 will permit the respective feeler levers to assume the position 1, so that the selecting member assumes its selecting position 1.

As explained above, pattern drum 159 performs one angular step after each revolutionof the needle cylinder. This operation is timed in such a manner that a shifting 'of the pattern chain 158 takes place during the time period in which cam 34 moves from position 34% to the arresting lever 31 of the first feed A as explained with reference to FIG. 1. In this time period a new link of each chain 158 arrives under a sensing member 157, so that different pattern projects 162-1, 162-11, 162-111, or no pattern projection, act on the sensing members 157 so that all selector members 39 at all feeds are simultaneously preset to the desired selecting positions, in accordance with the pattern to be knitted by the machine. Of course, the pattern chains may be so designed that the selector members 39 remain in the same position while the needle cylinder performs several successive revolutions. During each revolu tion of the needle cylinder, the pattern drum 159 and the pattern chains 158 are at a standstill, so that all selecting members remain in the preset position during the respective revolution of the needle cylinder, during which all actuating means and lifting cams 2 are successively actuated. The pull of springs 142 on cables 42, and levers 151 is taken up by the sensing members 157 resting on the respective pattern projections of the pattern chains.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of circular knitting machines differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a pattern selecting arrangement for a circular knitting machine including selector members for preselecting the position of the cylinder needles at each feed of the machine, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitutes essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention, and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A pattern selecting arrangement for a circular knitting machine having a cylinder with cylinder needles, comprising, in combination, lifting cam means shiftable between a plurality of positions for shifting the cylinder needles of the machine to different positions during rotation of the needle cylinder; actuating means shiftable between an inoperative position and a plurality of shifted positions to effect shifting of said lifting cam means between said position of the same; means for moving said actuating means from said inoperative position to said shifted positions; selector means cooperating with said actuating means and being shiftable between a plurality of selecting positions for holding said actuating means in said inoperative position and in each of said shifted positions, respectively; pattern control means for shifting said selector means between said selecting positions thereof; and apparatus adapted to be operated by the needle cylinder of the machine and including a first means for shifting said actuating means to said inoperative position before said pattern control means shifts said selector means, whereupon said actuating means move to one of said shifted positions and are held by said selector means, and a second means for operating said actuating means to shift said lifting cam means to a position corresponding to the selected position of said selector means.

2. A pattern selecting arrangement for a circular knitting machine having a plurality of feeds and having a cylinder with cylinder needles, comprising located at each feed; lifting cam means shiftable between a plurality of positions for shifting the cylinder needles of the machine to different positions during rotation of the needle cylinder, an actuating means shiftable between an inoperative position and a plurality of shifted positions in which said actuating means is adapted to effect shifting of said lifting cam means between said positions of the same, and a selector member cooperating with said actuating means and being shiftable between a plurality of selecting positions for holding said actuating means in said inoperative position and in said shifted positions, respectively; means for moving said actuating means from said inoperative position to said shifted positions; pattern control means located between the first and last feed and operable for shifting selected selector members to a predetermined 1 1 12 selecting position thereof; and apparatus adapted to be tion of the needle cylinder; an actuating means shiftable operated by the needle cylinder of the machine and inbetween an inoperative position and a plurality of shifted cluding just means for successively shifting said actuating positions in which said actuating means is adapted to efmeans to said inoperative position before said pattern fect shifting of said lifting cam means between said posicontrol means shifts said selector members, whereupon 5 tions of the same; spring means for biasing said actuating said actuating means move to one of said shifted positions means to move from said inoperative position successiveand are held by said selector members, and a second means 1y to said shifted positions; a selector member cooperating for operating said actuating means to shift said lifting cam with said actuating means and being shiftable between a means to a position corresponding to the selected position plurality of selecting positions for holding said actuating of each selector member. means in said inoperative position and in said shifted 3. A pattern selecting arrangement as set forth in claim positions, respectively; said selector member having a 2 wherein said pattern control means includes feeler plurality of stepped shoulders for respectively blocking means, cable means connecting said feeler means with movement of said actuating means in said selecting posisaid selector members for shifting the same, and a pattern tions; pattern control means for shifting said selector memchain sensed by said feeler means. ber between said selecting positions thereof; and means 4. A pattern selecting arrangement for a circular knitadapted to be moved by the needle cylinder of the machine ting machine having a cylinder with cylinder needles, comand including cam for shifting said actuating means to said prising, in combination, lifting cam means shiftable beinoperative position before said pattern control means tween a plurality of positions for shifting the cylinder shifts said selector member, said cam releasing said acneedles of the machine to different positions during rota- 2O tuating means when said selector member has been set to tion of the needle cylinder; an actuating means shiftable a selecting position so that said actuating means is free to between an inoperative position and a plurality of shifted move under the action of said spring means to a position positions in which said actuating means is adapted to efheld by said selector member, and a means for operating fect shifting of said lifting cam means between said posisaid actuating means to shift said lifting cam means to a tions of the same; means for moving said actuating means position corresponding to the selected position of said from said inoperative position successively to said shifted selector member. positions; selector means cooperating with said actuating 7. A pattern selecting arrangement for a circular knitmeans and being shiftable between a plurality of selecting ting machine having a cylinder with cylinder needles, compositions for holding said actuating means in said inopprising, in combination, lifting cam means shiftable beerative position and in each of said shifted positions, retween a plurality of positions for shifting the cylinder spectively; pattern control means for shifting said selector needles of the machine to different positions during rotameans between said selecting positions thereof; and means tion of the needle cylinder; an actuating means shiftable adapted to be moved by the needle cylinder of the machine between an inoperative position and a plurality of shifted and including a cam for shifting said actuating means to positions in which said actuating means is adapted to efsaid inoperative position before said pattern control means feet shifting of said lifting cam means between said posishifts said selector means, said cam releasing said actuating tions of the same; biasing means urging said actuating means when said selector means is set to a selecting posimeans form said inoperative position to said shifted position so that said actuating means is free to move to a positions; arresting means for arresting said actuating means. tion held by said selector means, and a means for operatin said inoperative position; a selector member cooperating said actuating means to shift said lifting cam means to ing with said actuating means and being shiftable between a position corresponding to the selected position of said a plurality of selecting positions for holding said actuating ele t r a means from said inoperative position to said shifted posi- 5. A pattern selecting arrangement for a circular knittions, respectively; pattern control means for shifting ting machine having a cylinder with cylinder needles, comsaid selector member between said selecting positions prising, in combination, lifting cam means shiftable bethereof; and apparatus adapted to be operated by the tween a plurality of positions for shifting the cylinder needle cylinder of the machine including cam means for needles of the machine to different positions during rotashifting said actuating means to said inoperative position tion of the needle cylinder; an actuating means shiftable to be arrested by said arresting means before said pattern between an inoperative position and a plurality of shifted Control means shifts said selector member and for reiti i hi h id actuating an i adapted to efleasing said arresting means to cause movement of said feet shifting of said lifting cam means between said posiactuating means to one of said shifted positions so as to tions of the same; means for moving said actuating means be held by said selector member, and means for operating from said inoperative position to said shifted positions; said actuating means to shift said lifting cam means to a a selector member cooperating with said actuating means position corresponding to the selected position of each and being shiftable between a plurality of selecting posiselector member. tions for holding said actuating means in said inoperative 8. A pattern selecting arrangement for a circular knitposition and in said shifted positions, respectively, said ting machine having a cylinder with cylinder needles, comselector member having a plurality of stepped shoulders pr ng, in Combination, lifting Cam m ns shiftable bef respectively blo ki g moveme t f aid tuati g tween a plurality of positions for shifting the cylinder means in said selecting positions; pattern control means needles of the machine to different positions during rotafor shifting said selector member between said selecting tion of the needle cylinder; an actuating means shiftable positions thereof; and apparatus adapted to be operated between an inoperative position and a plurality of shifted by the needle cylinder of the machine including cam means positions in which said actuating means is adapted to for shifting said actuating means to said inoperative posieffect shifting of said lifting cam means between said position before said pattern control means shifts said selector tions of the same; spring means for biasing said actuating member whereupon said actuating means move to one of means to move from said inoperative position successively said shifted positions and are held by said selector memto said shifted positions; arresting means for arresting said ber, and a means for operating said actuating means to actuating means in said inoperative position; a selector shift said lifting cam means to a position corresponding member cooperating with said actuating means and being to the selected position of each selector member. 7 shiftable between a plurality of selecting positions for 6. A pattern selecting arrangement for a circular knitholding said actuating means in said inoperative position ting machine having a cylinder with cylinder needles, comand in said shifted positions, respectively; pattern control prising, in combination, lifting cam means shiftable bemeans for shifting said selector member between said setween a plurality of positions for shifting the cylinder lecting positions thereof; and means adapted to be moved needles of the machine to different positions during rotaby the needle cylinder of the machine and including a first cam for shifting said actuating means to said inoperative position to be arrested by said arresting means before said pattern control means shifts said selector members, a second cam for moving said arresting means to a position releasing said actuating means, said first cam releasing said actuating means when said selector member has been set to a selecting position so that said actuating means is free to move under the action of said spring means to a position held by said selector member, and a means for operating said actuating means to shift said lifting cam means to a position corresponding to the selected position of said selector member.

9. A pattern selecting arrangement for a circular knitting machine having a plurality of feeds and a cylinder with cylinder needles, located at each feed; lifting cam means shiftable between a plurality of positions for shifting the cylinder needles of the machine to different positions during rotation of the needle cylinder; an actuating means shiftable between an inoperative position and a plurality of shifted positions in which said actuating means is adapted to effect shifting of said lifting cam means between said positions of the same; spring means for biasing said actuating means to move from said inoperative position successively to said shifted positions, arresting means for arresting said actuating means in said inoperative position; and a selector member cooperating with said actuating means and being shiftable between a plurality of selecting positions for holding said actuating means in said inoperative position and in said shifted positions, respectively; and pattern control means located between the first and the last feed and adapted to be opened after each revolution of the needle cylinder to shift selected selector members to a predetermined selecting position thereof, and means adapted to be moved by the needle cylinder of the machine and including a first cam for shifting said actuating means to said inoperative position to be arrested by said arresting means before said pattern control means shifts said selector members, a second cam for moving said arresting means to a position releasing said actuating means, said first cam releasing said actuating means when said selector member has been set to a selecting position so that said actuating means is free to move under the action of said spring means to a position held by said selector member, and a means for operating said actuating means to shift said lifting cam means to a position corresponding to the selected position of said member.

if). A pattern selecting arrangement for a circular knitting machine having a cylinder with cylinder needles, comprising, in combination, lifting cam means shiftable between a plurality of positions for shifting the cylinder needles of the machine to different positions during rotation of the needle cylinder; an actuating means shiftable between an inoperative position and a plurality of shifted positions in which said actuating means is adapted to effect shifting of said lifting cam means between said positions of the same, said actuating means having a recess; biasing means urging said actuating means from said inoperative position to said shifted positions; a spring-loaded arresting means in said recess for holding said actuating means in an inoperative position slightly spaced from said selector member; a selector member cooperating with said actuating means and being shiftable between a plurality of selecting positions for holding said actuating means in said inoperative position and in said shifted positions, respectively; pattern control means for shifting said selector member between said selecting positions thereof; and apparatus adapted to be operated by the needle cylinder of the machine including cam means for shifting said actuating means to said inoperative position to be arrested by said arresting means before said pattern control means shifts said selector member, and for releasing said arresting means to cause movement of said actuating means to one of said shifted positions so as to be held 14 by said selector member, and means for operating said actuating means to shift said lifting cam means to a position corresponding to the selected position of each selector member.

11. A pattern selecting arrangement for a circular knitting machine having a cylinder with cylinder needles, comprising, in combination, lifting cam means shiftable between a plurality of positions for shifting the cylinder needles of the machine to different positions during rotation of the needle cylinder; an actuating means shiftable between an inoperative position and a plurality of shifted positions in which said actuating means is adapted to effect shifting of said lifting cam means between said positions of the same, said actuating means having a recess; spring means for biasing said actuating means to move from said inoperative position successively to said shifted positions; a spring-loaded arresting means in said recess for holding said actuating means in an inoperative position slightly spaced from said selector member; a selector member cooperating with said actuating means and being shiftable between a plurality of selecting positions for holding said actuating means in said inoperative position and in said shifted positions, respectively; pattern control means for shifting said selector member between said selecting positions thereof; and means adapted to be moved by the needle cylinder of the machine and including a first cam for shifting said actuating means to said inoperative position to be arrested by said arresting means before said pattern control means shifts said selector members, a second cam for moving said arresting means to a position releasing said actuating means, said first earn releasing said actuating means when said selector member has been set to a selecting position so that said actuating means is free to move under the action of said spring means to a position held by said selector member, and a means for operating said actuating means to shift said lifting cam means to a position corresponding to the selected position of said selector member.

12. An arrangement as set forth in claim 11, and including a cam cooperating with said actuating means for urging the same away from said arresting means While said second cam operates said arresting means so that the wall of said recess moves away from said arresting means to facilitate movement of said arresting means to a position releasing said actuating means.

'13. A pattern selecting arrangement for a circular knitting machine having a needle cylinder with cylinder needles, comprising, in combination, a series of lifting cam means shiftable between a plurality of positions including an inoperative position, a tuck position, and a latch clearing position; a plurality of operating members for operating each lifting cam means, each operating member being shiftable to and from an operating position for shifting said lifting cam means to one of said positions of the same; a series of actuating means including a carrier and an actuating lever mounted on said carrier for movement to and from an actuating position, said carrier being shiftable between an inoperative position in which said actuating lever is spaced from the said operating members, and a plurality of shifted positions in which said actuating lever is located opposite different operating members to shift the same when moving to said actuating position; spring means for biasing each carrier to move from said inoperative position successively to said shifted positions; a selector member c0- operating with each carrier and being shiftable in a direction transverse to the direction of the movement of said carrier between a plurality of selecting positions for holding said carrier in said inoperative position and in said shifted positions, respectively; a pattern control means for shifting said selector members between said selecting positions; and cam means adapted to be moved by the needle cylinder of the machine and including a first cam for shifting said carrier to said inoperative position before said pa-ttern control means shifts said selector member and for releasing said carrier when said selector member has been set to a selecting position so that said carirer is free to move under the action of said spring means to a position blocked by said selector member whereby said actuating lever is placed o posite one of said operating members, and another cam for operating said actuating lever to move to said actuating position to shift the respective operating member to said operating position for shifting said lifting cam means.

14. A pattern selecting arrangement for a circular knitting machine having a needle cylinder with cylinder needles, comprising, in combination, a series of lifting cam means shiftable between a plurality of positions including an inoperative position, a tuck position, and a latch clearing position; a plurality of operating members for operating each lifting cam means, each operating member being shiftable to and from an operating position for shifting said lifting cam means to one of said positions of the same; a series of actuating means including a carrier and an actuating lever mounted on said carrier for movement to and from an actuating position, said carrier being shiftable between an inoperative position in which said actuating lever is spaced from said operating members, and a plurality of shifted positions in which said actuating lever is located opposite different operating members to shift the same when moving to said actuating position; spring means for biasing each carrier to move from said inoperative position successively to said shifted position; arresting means for arresting each carrier in said inoperative position; a selector member cooperating with each carrier and being shiftable in a direction transverse to the direction of the movement of said carrier between a plurality of selecting positions for holding said carrier in said inoperative position and in said shifted positions, respectively; a pattern control means for shifting said selector member between said selecting positions; cam means adapted to be moved by the needle cylinder of the machine and including a first cam for shifting said carrier to said inoperative position to be arrested by said arresting means before said pattern control means shifts said selector member and a second cam for operating said arresting means for releasing said carrier when said selector member has been set to a selecting position so that said carrier is free to move under the action of said spring means to a position blocked by said selector member whereby said actuating lever is placed opposite one of said operating members, and a third cam for operating said actuating lever to move to said actuating position to shift the respective operating member to said operating position for shifting said lifting cam means.

15. An arrangement as set forth in claim 14 wherein said cam means include a fourth cam cooperating with said carrier for urging the same away from said arresting means while said second cam operates said arresting means so that movement of said arresting means to a position releasing said carrier is facilitated.

16. A pattern selecting arrangement for a circular knitting machine having a needle cylinder with cylinder needles, and a plurality of feeds spaced about the needle cylinder, comprising, located at each feed; lifting cam means shiftable between a plurality of positions for shifting the cylinder needles of the machine; a selector means having a selecting position for rendering the respective associated lifting cam means operative; pattern control means located between the first feed and last feed and operable for shifting said selector means to said selecting position, said pattern control means including a series of feeler means, linkage means connecting each feeler means with one of said selector means, respectively, and a pattern means adapted to be turned one step after each revolution of the needle cylinder, said pattern means representing a pattern in each position thereof and being sensed by said feeler means so that said selector means are shifted by'said linkage means to selecting positions corresponding to the sensed pattern; and means for successively shifting the lifting cam means rendered operative by the respective selector means in said selecting position.

17. A pattern selecting arrangement as set forth in claim 16 wherein said linkage means are cables, and wherein said pattern control means includes means for winding up and guiding said cables.

'18. A pattern selecting arrangement for a circular knitting machine having a plurality of feeds and having a cylinder with cylinder needles, comprising located at each feed; lifting cam means shiftable between a plurality of positions for shifting the cylinder needles of the machine to different positions during rotation of the needle cylinder, an actuating means shiftable between an inoperative position and a plurality of shifted positions in which said actuating means is adapted to effect shifting of said lifting cam means between said positions of the same, and a selector member cooperating with said actuating means and being shiftable between a plurality of selecting positions for holding said actuating means in said inoperative position and in said shifted positions, respectively; pattern control means located between the first and last feed and operable for shifting selected selector members to a predetermined selecting position thereof, said pattern control means including a series of feeler means, linkage means connecting each feeler means with one of said selector members, respectively, a pattern drum adapted to be turned one step after each revolution of the needle cylinder and including pattern means representing a pattern in each position of said pattern drum, said pattern means being sensed by said feeler means so that said selector members are shifted to selecting positions corresponding to the sensed pattcrn; and means adapted to be operated by the needle cylinder of the machine to suecessively shift said actuating means to said inoperative position and a plurality of shifted positions in which said selector members, to effect movement of said actuating means to one of said shifted positions held by said selector member, and to operate said actuating means to shift said lifting cam means to a position corresponding to the selected position of said selector member.

19. A pattern selecting arrangement for a circular knitting machine having a plurality of feeds and having a cylinder with cylinder needles, comprising located at each feed; lifting cam means shiftable between a plurality of positions for shifting the cylinder needles of the machine to different positions during rotation of the needle cylinder, an actuating means shiftable between an inoperative position and a plurality of shifted positions in which said actuating means is adapted to effect shifting of said lifting cam means between said positions of the same, and a selector member cooperating with said actuating means and being shiftable between a plurality of selecting positions for holding said actuating means in said inoperative position and in said shifted positions, respectively; pattern control means located between the first and last feed and operable for shifting selected selector members to a predetermined selecting position thereof, said pattern control means including a series of feeler means, cable means connecting each feeler means with one of said selector members, respectively, guide drum means having grooves for guiding said cable means, a pattern drum adapted to be turned one step after each revolution of the needle cylinder and including pattern means representing a pattern in each position of said pattern drum, said pattern means being sensed by said feeler means so that said selector members are shifted to selecting positions corresponding to the sensed pattern; and means adapted to be operated by the needle cylinder of the machine to suecessively shift said actuating means to said inoperative position before said pattern control means shifts said selector members, to effect movement of said actuating means to one of said shifted positions held by said selector member, and to operate said actuating means to shift said lifting cam means to a position corresponding to the selected position of said selector member.

20. An arrangement as set forth in claim 19 wherein said guide drum means include two guide drums, wherein said cable means include two sets of cables respectively guided by said two guide drums and connected to two sets of selector members which are respectively located on opposite sides of the needle cylinder; wherein said feeler means include feeler levers arranged in two groups and having ends located in two planes and connected to said cables so that said cables extend in two planes, and sensing members for sensing said pattern means and engaging said feeler levers, said'sensing members being guided for rectilinear movement transverse to said planes.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,317,268 4/43 Green 66135 2,573,782 11/51 Zeruneith 6625 FOREIGN PATENTS 408,888 4/34 Great Britain.

RUSSELL C. MADER, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PATTERN SELECTING ARRANGEMENT FOR A CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE HAVING A CYLINDER WITH CYLINDER NEEDLES, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, LIFTING CAM MEANS SHIFTABLE BETWEEN A PLURALITY OF POSITIONS FOR SHIFTING THE CYLINDER NEEDLES OF THE MACHINE TO DIFFERENT POSITIONS DURING ROTATION OF THE NEEDLE CYLINDER; ACTUATING MEANS SHIFTABLE BETWEEN AN OPERATIVE POSITION AND A PLURALITY OF SHIFTED POSITIONS TO EFFECT SHIFTING OF SAID LIFTING CAM MEANS BETWEEN SAID POSITION OF THE SAME; MEANS FOR MOVING SAID ACTUATING MEANS FROM SAID INOPERATIVE POSITION TO SAID SHIFTED POSITION; SELECTOR MEANS COOPERATING WITH SAID ACTUATING MEANS AND BEING SHIFTABLE BETWEEN A PLURALITY OF SELECTING POSITIONS FOR HOLDING SAID ACTUATING MEANS IN SAID INOPERATIVE POSITION AND IN EACH OF SAID SHIFTED POSITIONS, RESPECTIVELY; PATTERN CONTROL MEANS FOR SHIFTING SAID SELECTOR MEANS BETWEEN SAID SELECTING POSITIONS THEREOF; AND APPARATUS ADAPTED TO BE OPERATED BY THE NEEDLE CYLINDER OF THE MACHINE AND INCLUDING A FIRST MEANS FOR SHIFTING SAID ACTUATING MEANS TO SAID INOPERATIVE POSITION BEFORE SAID PATTERN CONTROL MEANS SHIFTS SSAID SELECTOR MEANS, WHEREUPON SAID ACTUATING MEANS MOVE TO ONE OF SAID SHIFTED POSITIONS AND ARE HELD BY SAID SELECTOR MEANS, AND A SECOND MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID ACTUATING MEANS TO SHIFT SAID LIFTING CAM MEANS TO A POSITION CORRESPONDING TO THE SELECTED POSITION OF SAID SELECTOR MEANS. 